Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > North Africa
Security Situation Western Sahara / Mauritania Security Situation Western Sahara / Mauritania
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
North Africa Topics specific to North Africa and the Sahara down to the 17th parallel (excludes Morocco)
Photo by Lois Pryce, schoolkids in Algeria

25 years of HU Events


Destination ANYWHERE...
Adventure EVERYWHERE!




Photo of Lois Pryce, UK
and schoolkids in Algeria



Trans Sahara Routes.

Like Tree10Likes

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 24 Oct 2014
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: F
Posts: 856
" Everything feels less daunting when there's someone else around to hold back the paranoia."
I totally agree with that!

And about trying to find travel's companions on forume and even in the country, don't forget (unfortunateky) to be as discreet as possible because some hostile ears can know your plans.

Have a good trip, Mauri is the only true "desert country" for the moment and it's very nice (I've tried last year).

RR.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 24 Oct 2014
-
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,370
Talking TGIF! so a little humour
Your garden is a dangerous place... !
Last edited by Bertrand; 2 Mar 2016 at 16:15.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 29 Oct 2014
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 28
Thank you for your very informative post Chris. I'm currently waiting for a copy of your book to reach me and am looking forward to reading through the routes you've previously talked about. I'll definitely try to reach Atar if I can find someone to come with me, driving a D1 disco always worries me slightly in case of breakdown but then again that could happen anywhere!

I'll report back in full when I'm down in Mauri! thanks again
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 5 Nov 2014
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 2
Chinguetti and Ouadane?
Am planning a short-ish trip within the next month or two, flying into NKC and then driving up towards the piste you mention (the one that goes along the rail line headed east) to see how far east it is possible to go, and am interested to go to the area of Ouadane while i am there (i don't know if it is possible to go to see the Guelb er Richat? )... Does anyone know if that is possible or have a suggestion for a local contact around Chinguetti? Any recent travels in that area? Thank you.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 6 Nov 2014
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 126
Western Sahara - Mauri - Senegal.
I came through here on the coast road 10 days ago on a bike. One thing to be aware of, if the Mauri customs belive you will pass directly to Senagal they make you pay extra, and take a guide. I narrowly missed this but others got caught.

A Dutch couple I met in Zebrabar, got through the border by 10am but waited all day for the guide who made them, and 15 other vehicles, drive through the night in convoy to be at Rosso by 9am the next day.

Rosso is of course as bad if not worse than ever.

Although on my own for much of the desert I had no security concerns.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 13 Nov 2014
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: London and all over West Africa
Posts: 679
Does anybody have an idea why the British FCO have just changed the map for Western Sahara? The border area with Mauritania used to be yellow (against all but essential)....but is now showing as red.

Has something happened recently that I've missed? Or are they being cautious out of general concern?

Name: 141104_Western_Sahara_jpeg.jpg Views: 2026 Size: 133.3 KB
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 13 Nov 2014
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Oxford, U.K.
Posts: 625
I don't know the answer in the case of the latest change to W.S. A couple of years ago the FCO map for Algeria changed suddenly and I asked the Political Secretary at the British Embassy in Algeria (whom I happened to be meeting about some science project in Algeria) why it had changed. He couldn't tell me the exact reason (which he knew) but it was changed as a result of some intelligence that the Algerians had picked up and passed on to the Embassy. Later it turned out to be interception of chatter relating to the convoy of insurgents in the region. So, in short, the change won't be random. There will be a reason.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 5 Mar 2017
Horserider's Avatar
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: france
Posts: 32
Border west Sahara-Mauretania
I passed there several days ago and notice any securety issues at the border. Take a fixer - Arturo is a good one probybly 50 years old.

The only astonishing thing was a Polisario stop just after no mansland. We made pictures and had fun with them. Nice guys.

Edwin
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 20 Mar 2017
Horserider's Avatar
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: france
Posts: 32
Polisario
Update: my french friends just passed again the border and had this time troubles with polisario. My friend did have a sticker of Marocco on his hard case. Polisario forced him under gun fire to take it of, he sticked it on the polisario car and than they exploded, immediatly the UN forces came to calm down the incident, nobody understood why a stupid sticker can make them furious!
It's sensible there, take care, laugh as we did the way to etc.!!

It happened the 19th of march 2017
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 7 Jan 2018
Chris Scott's Avatar
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2000
Posts: 4,991
Tensions returning to Guergarat
https://translate.googleusercontent....itz7-Vibd-L3-g
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 11 Mar 2019
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Toronto, Canada
Posts: 2,134
I spent a week riding around in "the southern provinces of Morocco' (Western Sahara) during January 2019. I didn't go further south than Dhakla, and I didn't go off paved roads. But I did ride around quite a bit there.

In my opinion, the former Western Sahara (in fact, all of Morocco) is safer than a small village in rural Switzerland. The police have the area very well controlled, there are traffic stops about every 50 km on the main roads, and at the entrances to towns. The police are very polite & efficient - they recognize you are a tourist, have a quick look at your passport, and wish you a good voyage.

The main road down to Dhakla was in the final stages of being totally rebuilt when I was there. When it gets finished, it will be on par with any Swiss or German roadway - level, smooth, well engineered, and good sightlines.

I have no knowledge of Mauritania, I did not go south of Dhakla.

Michael
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Western Sahara offroad trip DTec Morocco 9 18 Sep 2014 15:49
Return to the Western Sahara TheWarden 4 Wheels Travel Reports 12 21 Jul 2014 22:35
Call to boycott Morocco over Western Sahara human rights violations. davidlomax Morocco 9 4 May 2014 20:27
Western Sahara Inlands - a guidebook for 4x4 overlanders vrecha Morocco 16 2 Apr 2014 06:48
Vehicle parts in western sahara and mauritania The 3Dj North Africa 8 29 Jun 2013 12:20

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
Ecuador June 13-15
Bulgaria Mini: June 27-29
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Aug 14-17
Romania: Aug 22-24
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes.
(ONLY US RESIDENTS and currently has a limit of 60 days.)

Ripcord Evacuation Insurance is available for ALL nationalities.


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Every book a diary
Every chapter a day
Every day a journey
Refreshingly honest and compelling tales: the hights and lows of a life on the road. Solo, unsupported, budget journeys of discovery.
Authentic, engaging and evocative travel memoirs, overland, around the world and through life.
All 8 books available from the author or as eBooks and audio books



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 03:50.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top